Energy Information Flow Research Articles

Exploring channels and gaps in information dissemination and acquisition among energy scientists and the public: The southeast Asian context.

This study investigates the flow of energy-related information, which plays a vital role in promoting the public understanding and support for various energy sources. Through 12 focus group discussions with the public and energy experts, this study found that energy information flows from scientists to the public through both direct (e.g., roadshows, scientists’ blogs) and indirect (via agents, e.g., school, news media) channels. However, communication gaps remain between scientists and the public. First, the public commonly obtains information from personal experience and the media but not directly from scientists. Second, while the public stressed the importance of mass media and social media, only a few experts reported writing news commentaries or making social media posts about energy. Third, while scientists emphasize their relationships with the government and other agencies in disseminating information, the public shows relatively weak trust in these agencies. Implications are made for future research and public communication on energy issues.

A Design Theory for Energy and Carbon Management Systems in the Supply Chain The Quest for Innovation in Information Systems Research: Recognizing, Stimulating, and Promoting Novel and Useful Knowledge

Energy and carbon management systems (ECMS) are a class of green information systems that has the potential to increase environmental sustainability in organizations and across supply chains. Employing a design science research approach, we define the scope of ECMS in the supply chain context, identify requirements, design an expository instantiation, and develop an information systems design theory, including key constructs and design principles. We instantiate this theory in four supply chain contexts to validate and revise the proposed design in two rounds. We identify six system components data collection, energy monitoring, supply chain coordination, ECMS workflow engine, reporting, and carbon footprint estimator that integrate and coordinate four types of information flows (transactional, contextual, energy, and product environmental), and formulate design principles. Our evaluation indicates that the ECMS design theory, if instantiated, supports energy and carbon measurement and environmentally aware decision-making and practice in supply chains. We also highlight how considering energy information flows in combination with material features that afford environmentally aware decision-making and practice are key to qualifying information systems as green.

Mindful energy and information flow: A reflective account of S.E.L.F connection during COVID-19

Life during the COVID-19 pandemic is uncertain, intense, and traumatic. At the same time, there is room for hope, inspiration, and meaning for social workers through mindfully connecting with energy-information flow as it influences our Safety, Emotions, Loss, and Future – S.E.L.F. As adapted from the Sanctuary Model®, this S.E.L.F connection is an opportunity to discover within ourselves our unwavering core that is grounded, present, and connected and sustain an ethical and compassionate approach to social work practice, education, and research during this time of pandemic. The aim in this reflective essay is to provide an example of S.E.L.F. connection from the perspective of a Buddhist and social work academic at an Australian university during the COVID-19 pandemic. While beneficial, ongoing S.E.L.F. connections are necessary for social workers if we are to stay mindful of energy-information flow and steer this flow towards the creation of a story of relationship, compassion, and connection into the future.

Remediating risk as matter–energy–information flows of avian influenza and BSE

Nearly all risks associated with infectious diseases have potential global implications and highlight Beck’s (2007, Weltrisikogesellschaft. auf der suche nach der verlorenen sicherheit. Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag) famous thesis that the risk society is always a world risk society. One central factor behind the immanently global nature of risk is the role of mediated communication. All risks are mediated in one form or another. It is for that reason logical that mediation – as a process of coming in between or extending particular associations – should play a major role in the development of theories of risk. It is from this starting point that I propose to retheorise risk in relation to practices of communication. I will reflect on two well-documented cases: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or ‘mad cow disease’) and avian influenza (H5N1) to develop an analysis of the role of media in engendering particular risk sensibilities. By invoking Bolter and Grusin’s (1999, Remediation: understanding new media. Cambridge MA: MIT Press) concept of remediation, I will show that risks are virtual and this means that they can be endlessly reconfigured in particular techno–semiotic networks that are geared towards calibrating three attributions: matter, energy and information. It is through these recalibrations that particular systems are able to invoke specific forms of risk communication that fit distinct institutional and/or personal interests.